Mr. Palmer and a companion were attacked by a skinhead gang in California who stated their intent to kill them. When Palmer pulled a gun out of his backpack the skinhead leader stepped back and said “Do you have a license for that?” before retreating.SHELLY PARKER, et al.,) ) Plaintiffs, ) ) v. ) ) DISTRICT ) OF COLUMRIA, et al., ) ) Defendants. ) )

Case No. 03-CV-02 13-EGS DECLARATION OF TOM G. PALMER

DECLARATION OF TOM G. PALMER I, Tom G. Palmer, am competent to state, and if called upon would testify to the following basis on my personal knowledge:

I reside in the District of Columbia.

I own various firearms located outside

the District of Columbia, including handguns and long guns, and presently intend to possess a functional handgun and long gun for self-defense within my own home, but I am prevented from doing so only by the defendants’ active enforcement of unconstitutional policies complained of in this action. I am aware that I face criminal penalties if I possess a handgun, or any other functional firearm, at home.

3. In the summer of 1982, when I was living in California, I was assaulted because I am gay. I successfully warded off the assault with a handgun. I was walking with a co-worker to dinner when a group of young men started yelling at us, “faggot,” “homo,” “queer,” “we’re going to kill you,” and “they’ll never find your bodies.” and so on. After they had followed us for about 100 feet, we started running. Fortunately I was able to pull my handgun out of my backpack, and our assailants backed off. This experience has confirmed for me that I can defend myself with a handgun, and that I am far less effective in my ability to defend myself and act in concert for the common good without the use of a handgun. 4. Being deprived of a handgun limits my ability to defend myself and my ability to act in concert with others for the common good, as a handgun could often be better suited for such uses than a rifle or shotgun. Being deprived of a functional rifle or shotgun likewise limits my ability to defend myself and my ability to act in concert with others for the common good. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed this the 13th day of March, 2003 /s/ Tom G. Palmer__________ Tom G. Palmer